The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Huge raffle to benefit IAN Fund, CBAC, CB SAR and Avy Dogs
On the second stop of its nationwide backcountry education tour, the Gore-Tex Backcountry Magazine Basecamp has teamed up with Patagonia, Crested Butte Mountain Guides, Crested Butte Avalanche Center and AIARE and a host of other sponsors at Crested Butte Mountain Resort on Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16 for a celebration of all things backcountry.
Featuring education, the latest gear and apparel and free, guided backcountry tours, Basecamp opens its yurts Friday afternoon, March 14 for the Gore-Tex U.S. Ski Mountaineering Championships registration. Races start Friday evening and run all weekend. For more information on the Ski Mo races visit elkmountainevents.com.
On Saturday, Basecamp action starts early with the first of two free, guided backcountry tours, which leave the yurts at 9:30 a.m. The second group leaves at 1 p.m. and space is limited for both so sign up early by calling Tiff at Crested Butte Mountain Guides (970) 349-5430 or email info@crestedbutteguides.com.
Throughout the day there will be free equipment demos, pros sharing tips and tactics on safe backcountry travel, plus and the latest on snow safety, backcountry skis, boots, bindings, skins, splitboards and more.
“It’s our imperative to both educate and stoke our community,” says Backcountry Magazine editor-in-chief Adam Howard. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to be better informed and prepared for the backcountry.”
At 4 p.m. the party heads from the yurts to Butte 66 where Salem will rock the house and the Basecamp sponsors will raffle off more than $20,000 of prizes with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Crested Butte/Vermont-based International Avalanche Nest-egg Fund, the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, Crested Butte Avalanche Dogs, and Crested Butte Search and Rescue.
You don’t have to be present to win. Tickets are $10 (or four for $30) and can be purchased through ski patrol and at several locations throughout the Gunnison Valley.
All the on-snow madness will repeat on Sunday, including two guided tours.
For more information on the tour, visit backcountrymagazine.com/basecamp.
